Over 88 per cent Mizo farmers depend on jhumming

Aizawl, Mar 21 (UNI) Over 88 per cent of Mizoram's farmers still depend on traditional shifting cultivation (Jhumming), according to state Agriculture Minister H Rammawi.

While 78,195 of total 89,195 Mizo farmers were engaged in jhumming cultivation, the rest 11,301 were engaged in wet rice cultivation, the Minister said in reply to a question in the Assembly yesterday by Opposition Mizoram People's Conference Legislator Lalhmingthanga on the number of households engaged in agriculture in the state.

Mr Rammawi said, '' There are at present seven KVK centres all over the state. Those KVK centres are funded by the ICAR and undertaken in conformity with the ICAR guidelines. '' '' Two in Hnahthial and Kolasib are functional KVKs and efforts are on as regards recruitment of staff to ensure functioning of the other centres, '' he stated.

UNI ZS SJC DB1752